UNTIL GRACE

Chapter 27

When Sarah and Chinenyeze reached the party venue, it was already in full swing.
All her friends were there and the children were in their own section.

This year Queen wasn't having a wild party like the last. Her parents were never there so she would invite the whole senior section and party till midnight. She would even sneak in some alcoholic drinks and drink her sorrows away.

But, this year would be different, her seventeenth birthday would be entirely different and that too because of two people she'd never even expected herself to talk to.

She still wondered how it all happened. For years, she'd been called the black Queen because that was all she used to wear. What she thought was a perfect description of her life, but now, she was in white, a colour of purity.

All those years, she saw James and Henry. She knew James came from a rich family but was never like her. She even knew when it was announced that his parents had passed and they still weren't acquainted. Then all of a sudden Henry- who she'd once bullied for wearing glasses and being a nerd started trying to talk to her.

She wanted to believe it was all a coincidence but, the way everything seemed planned out was like something God wanted to happen.

Sarah and Chinenyeze walked up to Ivan and Unity who were looking on as guests filled the area.
When they laid their eyes on them, they immediately rushed and each gave them individual hugs.

Chinenyeze shook hands with Ivan and smiled, "thank you so much for what you have done for me, I couldn't even believe my eyes when I saw it."

Ivan pulled him in for a hug, "I know I can never undo what's already done, but it's the least I can do for what you have done for me."

Soon, Queen came and pulled Sarah aside as the party began and was in full swing.
As they all danced and played around, the songs went from one to another.

Everyone was happy and joyful.
Queen looked around before turning to Sarah, "are James and Henry coming?" She asked looking over the place again.

"No, they had something with family but I have something for you from Henry." On hearing that, Queens face lit up and she asked what it was.

Sarah laughed, "calm down, you'll get it later, let's enjoy the party for now."

As they continued enjoying, someone came from behind and tapped Sarah on the shoulder.
She turned but on seeing the person, her smile faded.

"Hey Sarah, I see you're enjoying the party?" The boy said in his British accent and Sarah looked him up and down.
He had curly brown hair and brown eyes that she knew she could never forget.

After all, it was his eye she coloured black and whose hair she frantically pulled on in a fight.
"William, what are you doing here, knowing you and what you've done, Queen would never invite you here again."

Before he could reply, Queen interrupted, "Will? What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Don't worry, Queen, I was just telling him to leave," Sarah said eyeing him sternly.

"I just came to the party of the world's best party thrower, but looking at this place, it seems like you've downgraded," he replied looking around with disgust.
"Looks like without me, you're just... nothing."

Sarah clenched her fists and furiously bit back, "that's not true and will never be true. She was something before she met, after she met you and right now. And as a matter of fact, you are the one who's nothing seeing as you came all the way here to look for what's 'nothing'."

William smirked, "don't tell me miss quiet is now so talkative, what happened to using your fists and not words."

"Actions do speak louder than words but I'm no longer the person to just act, I'm a new being and you better be thankful for that because if not my hand would have perfectly labelled your face."

William gave a sarcastic laugh, "is this really how it is Queen? You still need your minion to protect you? And what is this new creation thing? What does she mean?"

Sarah's look changed from anger to pity, "I feel sorry for you and I can only pray that you find Jesus and stop this madness before it's too late."

By now, the parents began to realise something was wrong and Ivan and Chinenyeze started making their way towards them.

"So that's what it's about? You've gotten into this Christian thing? Wow-" before he could say anymore, Ivan came followed by Chinenyeze.

"You, what are you doing here?" He asked pulling Queen towards him.
"Leave before I call the police."

"Don't worry, I was just leaving,* William replied once again looking at Queen before leaving.

While they began to ask questions, Queen ran towards the main building and began to cry.
She had finally gotten over her trauma but now was afraid.

William was a year ahead of her at school, that was a year and half ago and began a relationship with her.
Over time, she began to throw parties and attend parties and he also began to come.

It was after four months that she threw another party, but this time he ordered alcohol and mixed it with all the drinks, leading to a large number of intoxicated youths.

Sarah showed up that night, but knew something was wrong when she saw all the drunk youths. Queens parents were out of town with her brother and the caretaker had left.

She started looking for Sarah and heard a crash as she made her way to her room. She then rushed and opened the door to see a semi-conscious Queen and William trying to take advantage of her.
The lamp on the night stand had dropped while Queen struggled to push William away.

With anger built up in her, she lunged at William and slapped him a few times even though he also hit her a number of times.
She however didn't give up and hit him on the head until he was dazed and dragged him out by the hair.

After dealing with him, he finally got away from her and ran, she started chasing people out, threatening to call their parents.

He and his family later moved to another city but queen had gone through a lot and needed therapy for a while.

Remembering all that, she cried and cried. He just had to show up and of all days, this one, her birthday.